Heterocyclic tin flame retardants/smoke suppressants and halogen-containing polymer composition containing same

ABSTRACT

Heterocyclic tin compounds, useful as flame retardants and/or as smoke suppressants for halogen-containing polymers, e.g., polyvinyl chloride resins having application as wire and cable coatings, are obtained by reacting a trisubstituted triazine such as melamine with a tin-containing compound such as tin tetrachloride.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to flame retardant/smoke suppressantadditives for halogen-containing polymers such as polyvinyl chloride(PVC).

[0002] PVC is an inherently flame retardant polymer but some additives,especially plasticizers and process aids, may increase its flammability.Wire and cable in general and, in particular, plenum cable, require highflame retardancy and low smoke generation. To achieve theserequirements, large amounts of flame retardants and smoke suppressantsare conventionally added to PVC. Known flame and smoke retardantsinclude such compounds as antimony oxide, molybdates and borates.However, antimony oxide is toxic, borates are relatively poor flameretardants and molybdates are expensive, factors which tend to militateagainst their use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new highperformance additive which imparts excellent flame retardant and smokesuppressant properties in halogen-containing polymers.

[0004] It is a particular object of the invention to providecompositions of halogen-containing polymers such as PVC, especially PVCcompositions employed as wire and cable coatings, containing aheterocyclic tin compound as a flame retardant and/or smoke suppressantadditive.

[0005] It is another object of the invention to provide a flameretardant and/or smoke suppressant additive for the insulation layer ofan electrically conductive wire or cable product.

[0006] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a PVCcomposition with largely improved heat stabilization by the addition ofperchlorates.

[0007] In keeping with these and other objects of the invention, thereis provided a halogen-containing polymer composition comprising ahalogen-containing polymer and a flame retardant-effective and/or smokesuppressant-effective amount of heterocyclic tin compound obtained fromthe reaction of (i) a trisubstituted triazine compound of the generalformula:

[0008] wherein X, Y and Z each independently is a halogen atom, hydroxylgroup, amine group or monovalent moiety containing at least one halogenatom, hydroxyl group and/or amine group, with (ii) a tin-containingcompound selected from the group consisting of tin chlorides, tinbromides, tin fluorides, tin iodides, tin hydroxides and tin oxides.

[0009] The foregoing heterocyclic tin compound imparts excellent flameretardant and smoke suppressant properties to halogen-containingpolymers such as PVC when used alone and/or in combination with otherflame retardant additives.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In accordance with the invention, the heterocyclic tin flameretardant/smoke suppressant additive is prepared by reacting (i) atrisubstituted triazine compound with (ii) a tin-containing compound asgenerally described above.

[0011] Trisubstituted triazine compound (i) possesses the generalformula:

[0012] wherein X, Y and Z are as defined above. Thus, e.g., one or moreof X, Y and Z can be a halogen atom, advantageously selected from amongchlorine and bromine, a hydroxyl group, a primary amine group or asubstituted amine group (i.e., a secondary or tertiary amine group) inwhich the amine nitrogen is bonded directly to a carbon atom of thetriazine ring. One or more of the foregoing halogen, hydroxyl and aminesubstituents can also be part of the structure of a monovalent moietywhich is bonded to a carbon atom of the triazine ring by a carbon-carbonbond. The monovalent moiety can, e.g., be an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aromaticor heterocyclic group. Examples of such groups include methyl, ethyl,propyl, isopropyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl,cyclopentyl, cycohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, tolyl, xylyl, naphthyl, pyridyl,and the like. These and other monovalent moieties, in addition tocontaining halogen, hydroxyl and/or amine, can contain one or more othersubstituents such as etheric oxygen, ester linkages, amide linkages,nitrile, and the like. Trisubstituted triazine compound (i) can also beused in the form of one of its salts, e.g., the hydrochloride salt, theacetate salt, and so forth.

[0013] Preferred trisubstituted triazine compounds (i) include melamine,N-substituted melamines, methylol-modified melamine, cyanuric acid,O-substituted cyanuric acid, amilide, amiline, melam and the saltsthereof.

[0014] Tin-containing compound (ii) can be an anhydrous or hydrated tintetrahalide, tin hydroxide, tin oxide, stannic acid or a metal stannatein which the metal can be, e.g., an alkali metal such as lithium, sodiumor potassium, an alkaline earth metal such as calcium, magnesium orbarium, and the like, or zinc, aluminum or iron. Useful tin-containingcompounds include HSnO₃, Sn(OH)₄, H₂SnO₃, SnO₂, MeHSnO₃ and MeSnO₃wherein Me can be any of the following: potassium, lithium, magnesium,calcium, zinc, sodium, barium, bismuth, strontium, iron, cobalt, nickelor copper.

[0015] The substituted triazine and tin-containing reactants areconventionally reacted in water and/or inert organic solvent at suitabletemperatures and pressures, e.g., −10 to 150° C., and preferably at 20to 100° C., at ambient or slightly elevated pressures (up to 5 bar) toprovide the heterocyclic tin-containing compound of this invention as aprecipitate. When a triazine salt is employed as a reactant, e.g.,melamine hydrochloride or melamine acetate, the reaction will ordinarilybe carried out in the presence of base, e.g., an alkali metal hydroxidesuch as sodium hydroxide, as an acid acceptor. Following the reaction,the precipitated reaction product can be isolated and, if desired,purified employing known and conventional means, e.g., filtration,washing of the product and drying.

[0016] Particularly preferred resins to which the compounds of thisinvention are added are the chlorine-containing polymers, particularlyPVC, and compositions containing these resins, employed as insulationfor wire and cable products.

[0017] The heterocyclic tin compounds will be employed in thehalogen-containing resin in at least a flame retardant-effective and/ora smoke suppressant-effective amount. In general and for mostapplicants, such amount can vary from about 5 to about 50 and preferablyfrom about 10 to about 30 parts per hundred (PHR), by weight of thehalogen-containing resin.

[0018] The polymers or resins to which the flame retardant/firesuppressant compounds of this invention are added, optionally incombination with one or more known or conventional flame retardant/firesuppressant additives are the halogen-containing organic polymers. Thesepolymers include homopolymers such as the polyvinyl chloride-typepolymers, e.g., polyvinyl chloride. These polymers can also includecopolymers formed by the copolymerization of vinyl chloride with otherunsaturated monomers. Unsaturated monomers can be compounds whichcontain polymerizable carbon-to-carbon double bonds and include alphaolefins such as ethylene, propylene and I -hexene; acrylates, such asacrylic acid, ethyl acrylate, acrylonitrile; vinyl monomers, such asstyrene, vinyl acetate and/or maleates such as maleic acid, maleicanhydride and malice esters.

[0019] In addition to the heterocyclic tin compound of this invention,one or more other additives can be present in the halogen-containingpolymer. These other additives can be selected from the group consistingof fillers, heat stabilizers, lubricants, plasticizers and pigments.

[0020] Examples of fillers can be one or more of the group consisting ofcalcium carbonate, dolomite, wollastonite, magnesium oxide, magnesiumhydroxide, silicates, clay, talc, glass fibers, glass beads, wood flour,mica, metal oxides, or metal hydroxides, carbon black, graphite, rockflour, heavy spar, glass fibers, talc, kaolin and chalk. The fillers canbe employed in an amount of preferably at least 1 part, for example,from 5 to 200, judiciously from 10 to 150 and in particular, from 15 to100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of PVC.

[0021] Examples of heat stabilizers are metal soaps of relativelylong-chain carboxylic acids. Familiar examples are stearates andlaureates, and also oleates. Alkyl benzoic acids are also said to beincluded under metal soaps. Metals that may be mentioned are Li, Na, K,Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Al, Cd and Pb. Use is often made of what are knownas synergistic mixtures, such as barium/zinc, magnesium/zinc,calcium/zinc, cadmium/barium, cadmium/calcium, cadmium/barium/zinc,cadmium/calcium/zinc or calcium/magnesium/zinc stabilizers. The metalsoaps can be employed individually or in mixtures.

[0022] Examples which may be mentioned are the zinc, calcium, magnesiumor barium salts of monovalent carboxylic acids such as acetic,propionic, butyric, valeric, hexanoic, enanthic, octanoic, neodecanoic,2-ethylhexanoic, pelargonic, decanoic, undecanoic, dodecanoic,tridecanoic, myristic, palmitic, isostearic, stearic, 12-hydroxystearic,behenic, benzoic, p-tert-butylbenzoic, N,N-dimethylhydroxybenzoic,3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic, toulic, dimethylbenzoic,ethylbenzoic, n-propylbenzoic, salicylic, p-tert-octysalicylic andsorbic acid; calcium, magnesium and zinc salts of the monoesters ofdivalent, carboxylic acids such as oxalic, malonic, succinic, glutaric,adipic, fumaric, pentane-1,5-dicarboxylic, hexane-1,6-dicarboxylic,heptane-1,7-dicarboxylic, octane-1,8-dicarboxylic, phthalic,isophthalic, terephthalic and hydroxyphthalic acid; and of the di- ortriesters of the tri- or tetravalent carboxylic acids such ashemimellitic, trimellitic, pyromellitic and citric acid. Preference isgiven to calcium, magnesium and zinc carboxylates of carboxylic acidshaving 7 to 18 carbon atoms (metal soaps in the narrow sense), such as,for example, benzonates or alkanoates, preferably stearate, oleate,laureate, palmitate, behenate, hydroxystrearates, dihydroxystearates or2-ethylhexanoate. Particular preference is given to stearate, oleate andp-tert-butylbenzonate. Overbased carboxylates, such as overbased zincoctoate, barium nonyl phenate, barium oleate, calcium oleate are alsopreferred. If desired, it is also possible to employ a mixture ofcarboxylates of different structures. Preference is given tocompositions, as described, comprising a zinc and/or calcium compound.As heat stabilizer alkyltin mercapto carboxylates or carboxylates can beused, preferably mono or di methyl, butyl, octyl tin derivatives withalkyl thioglycolates, alkyl mercaptopropionates and carboxylates.

[0023] Examples of lubricants can be selected from the group consistingof montan wax, fatty acid esters, PE waxes, amide waxes, chlorinatedparaffins, glycerol esters, fatty ketones, silicone-based lubricants andcombinations thereof. Calcium stearate is preferred.

[0024] Examples of plasticizers can be selected from the groupconsisting of phthalates, esters of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids,trimellitates, epoxy plasticizers, polymer placticizers, phosphoricesters, paraffins, hydrocarbons, monoesters and glycol esters.

[0025] Examples of pigments can be selected from the group consisting ofTiO₂ zirconium oxide-based pigments, BaSO₄, zinc oxide (zinc white) andlithopones (zinc sulfide/barium sulfate), carbon black, carbonblack/titanium dioxide mixtures, iron oxide pigments, Sb₂O₃, (Ti, Ba,Sb) O₂, Cr₂O₃ spinels, such as cobalt blue and cobalt green, Cd (S, Se),ultramarine blue, organic pigments for example, azo pigments,phthalo-cyanine pigments, quinacridone pigments, perylene pigments,diketopyrrolopyrrole pigments and anthraquinone pigments.

[0026] The additive herein is advantageously combined with a perchlorateheat stabilizer, preferred perchlorates being sodium, zinc, barium andmagnesium perchlorates, in known and conventional amounts.

[0027] The following examples illustrate the preparation of heterocyclictin compounds of this invention and the use of the compounds asstabilizers for PVC to which they impart increased flame retardant andsmoke suppressant activity.

EXAMPLE 1

[0028] Melamine (120 g) was suspended in 1100 ml of water in 2 l flaskand with agitation was heated to 30° C. Slowly 248 g of anhydrous tintetrachloride was added and the temperature was allowed to go to 70° C.The batch was agitated at 70° C. for 45 minutes and 304.6 g of aq. NaOH(50%) was slowly added over 1.5 hours. The reaction was held at 75-85°C. for three hours and was then cooled and filtered. The wet cake wasre-slurried in the water (1:1), filtered and washed with 300 ml water.It was dried for 16 hours at 80° C. and 271 g of white powder wasobtained. Elemental analysis showed % C 11.54, % H 2.73, % N 25.89, % Sn41.45, (Product 1).

EXAMPLE 2

[0029] Melamine (126 g), 740 ml of water and 160 g 50% NaOH were mixedin a 2 l flask and heated to 30° C. with agitation. Slowly, 260 g ofanhydrous tin tetrachloride was added and the temperature was allowed togo to 73° C. The reaction was stirred at 70° C. for 45 minutes and 160 gof aq. NaOH (50%) was slowly added over 15 minutes. The batch was heldat 75-85° C. for three hours and then cooled and filtered. The wet cakewas re-slurried in the water (1:1), and re-filtered and washed with300-ml of water. The cake was then dried for 16 hours at 80° C. 271 g ofwhite powder was obtained with the following elemental analysis; % C11.96, % H 2.67, % N 27.48, % Sn 42.02, (Product 2).

EXAMPLE 3

[0030] Melamine (25.2 g, 0.2M), 250 ml of water and 24 g acetic acid(0.4M) were mixed and heated to 80° C. To a clear solution of melamineacetate, 53.5 g of Na₂Sn(OH)₆, dissolved in 150 ml water, was added overa period of 1 hour at 80-85° C. The batch was further agitated at 80-85°for 1 hour and 45 minutes. It was then cooled to 50° C. and thenfiltered and washed with water. It was then dried for 16 hours at 105°C. 50 g of white powder was obtained with the following elementalanalysis % C 14.01, % H 3.07, % N 29.65, % Sn 30.51, (Product 3).

EXAMPLE 4

[0031] Melamine (126 g, 1 M) and 1985 ml 1.0075 molar hydrochloric acidwere mixed in 3 l flask and heated to 83° C. To the clear solution ofmelamine hydrochloride, 266 g of solid Ns₂Sn(OH)₆ (1M) was added over 10minutes at 83-87° C. The batch was agitated at 83-90° C. for anadditional 4 hours and then cooled to room temperature and filtered. Thewet cake was then re-slurried in 800 ml of water and re-filtered. It wasre-slurried in 300 ml water yet again and filtered once more. The cakewas then dried for 16 hours at 80° C. 262 g of white powder was obtainedwith the following elemental analysis % C 12.46, % H 2.16, % N 28.81, %Sn 35.4, (Product 4).

EXAMPLE 5

[0032] Melamine (126 g, 1M) and 1925 ml 1.039 molar hydrochloric acidwere mixed in 3 l flask and heated with agitation to 87° C. To the clearsolution of melamine hydrochloride, 266 g of solid Ns₂Sn(OH)₆ (1M) wasadded over 5 minutes at 87-93° C. The batch was then agitated at 87-90°C. for 5 hours. It was then cooled to room temperature and was settledovernight. The supernatant was decanted off and the solids werere-slurried in 200-ml of water for 30 minutes at 65° C. and thenfiltered and washed twice with 200-ml water. It was then dried for 8hours at 105° C. 260 g of white powder was obtained with the followingelemental analysis % C 11.88, % H 2.47, % N 27.13, % Sn 43.33, (Product5).

EXAMPLE 6

[0033] Cyanuric acid (25.8 g, 0.2M), 270 ml of water and 32 g NaOH(0.8M) were mixed in 500 ml flask, and with agitation the mixture washeated to 80° C. Slowly, 70 g (0.2M) tin tetrachloride pentahydrate,dissolved in 130 ml water, was added over 15 minutes at 80-85° C., andthe batch was agitated at 80-85° C. for 5 hours. The batch was cooled,filtered and washed with water and dried for 16 hours at 80° C. 47 g ofwhite powder was obtained with the following elemental analysis % C11.13, % H 1.38, % N 12.87, % Sn 45.85, (Product 6).

EXAMPLE 7

[0034] Cyanuric acid (129 g, 1M), 1280 ml of water and 320 g 50% NaOH(4M) were mixed in 3 l flask and with agitation the mixture was heatedto 70° C. Slowly, 350.6 g (1M) tin tetrachloride pentahydrate, dissolvedin 700 ml water, was added over 30 minutes at 70-87° C. The batch wasthen agitated at 80-85° C. for 4 hours. The batch was then cooled at 70°C. and filtered. The wet cake was re-slurried in 1500-ml of water for 30min at 50-60° C. and filtered, washed with water and dried for 16 hoursat 100° C. 272 g of white powder was obtained with the followingelemental analysis % C 11.35, % H 1.42, % N 13.22, % Sn 41.02, (Product7).

[0035] In Tables I-V below, the abbreviations therein have the followingmeanings:

[0036] Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI)

[0037] Time to ignition (TTI)

[0038] Peak heat release rate (HRR)

[0039] Total heat release (HR)

[0040] Average heat of combustion (Ave. H.C.)

[0041] Average Specific Extinction Area (Ave. SEA)

[0042] Total Smoke release (SR)

[0043] Tables I, II, and III represent the heat stability of threedifferent PVC formulations, intended for general wire and cable coatingapplications, containing some of the tin-melamine and tin-cyanuric acidproducts of the above examples. Flame retardant performance was measuredby the LOI test and heat stability was conducted at 400° F. andpresented by the yellowness index. Heat stability data of PVC compoundscontaining heterocyclic tin flame-retardants and smoke suppressantsshowed improvement in heat stability by the addition of sodiumperchlorate, as is summarized in the tables below. TABLE I Product 4Product 6 (10 PHR) + (10 PHR) + No. Product 4 NaCIO₄ (60%) Product 6NaCIO₄ (60%) TIME Add (10 PHR) 2 PHR (10 PHR) 2 PHR YELLOW INDEXFormulation  0 22.8 20.6 20.1 21.4 21.9 PVC¹ 100 30 41.8 35.3 30 47.544.2 Plasticizer² 45 60 46.2 46.6 37 62.1 52.6 Clay 12 90 52.6 54.7 40.164.6 56.1 Lead³ LOI 27 29.3 30.4 31.1 30.3 Stabilizer 5 Lubricant⁴ 0.2

[0044] TABLE II Product 4 Product 6 (10 PHR) + (10 PHR) + Product 4NaCIO₄ (60%) Product 6 NaCIO₄ (60%) TIME No. Add (10 PHR) 2 PHR (10 PHR)2 PHR YELLOW INDEX Formulation  0 18.7 13.05 13.23 13.85 12.75 PVC¹ 10030 50.34 48.11 26.8 38.34 32.12 Phosphate 60 69.04 62.05 40 47.39 42.22Ester² 5 90 75.47 49.6 57.09 48.46 Bromoester 10 LOI 33.3 48.3 49 51.955.3 Lubricant³ 0.25 Plasticizer⁴ 33 Clay 5 Lead⁵ Stabilizer 6 Sb₂O₃ 5Zinc Borate 2 ATH 70

[0045] TABLE III Product 4 Product 6 (15 PHR) + (15 PHR) + Product 1NaCIO₄ (60%) NaCIO₄ (60%) TIME No. Add (15 PHR) 2 PHR 2 PHR AOM YELLOWINDEX Formulation  0 16.31 18.7 17.6 5.11 PVC 100 30 35.54 30.36 29.537.25 Phosphate 60 42.66 36.8 35.7 Ester 10 90 51.18 41.6 40.6Bromoester 20 LOI 35.5 37.3 37.9 — 40.1 ATH 70 Plasticizer 45 Sb₂O₃ 3Ba/Ca/Zn 8 Stabilizer Zinc Borate 5

[0046] In order to assess whether the novel heterocyclic tin compoundexhibits any significant improvements in fire retardant performance andsmoke suppressant performance, the various products of theabove-examples were evaluated at different levels of additives shown inTables IV and V below. TABLE IV Formulation: PVC 100 Plasticizers  45Brominated Ester  20 Phosphate Ester  10 ATH  70 BaCaZn Stabilizers  8Fire Retardance (Fr) From Table AOM FR Product 4 Product 4 Product 4Product 1 Control No FR FR, PHR 18 15 12 15 15 0 Sb₂O₃, PHR 3 3 3 3 3 0Zn Borate, 5 5 5 5 5 0 PHR Properties LOI 38.4 37.3 37.3 37.1 40.1 29.5TTI Sec 37 35 38 36 27 23 Peak HRR 142 140 148 131 106 137 KW m² TotalHR 40.7 37.9 46 41.4 48 45.4 MJ m² Ave. H.C 10.3 9.8 12 10.7 11.6 13.7MJ kg Ave. SEA 322 336 346 317 393 523 M² kg Total SR 1041 1077 11521061 1248 1694 Mass Loss. % 62.9 63.3 64.1 66 63.7 74.9

[0047] TABLE V Flame- FR Product 4 Product 6 Product 4 Product 6retardant II FR, PHR 15 15 15 15 15 Sb₂O₃, 3 3 3 3 3 PHR Zn Borate, 5 55 5 5 PHR NaCIO₄ 0 0 2 2 0 (60%), PHR LOI 35.8 37.2 36.2 36.9 39.2 TTISec 34 35.5 34 39 58.5 Peak HRR 147 145 156 145 162 KW/m² Total HR 36.649.7 37.6 47.3 47.7 MJ/m² Ave. H.C 9.4 12.8 9.6 12.3 11.7 MJ/kg Ave. SEA321 409 365 390 487 M²/kg Total SR 978 1296 1158 1262 1427 Mass Loss60.6 63.4 63.1 62.3 57.6 %

What is claimed is:
 1. A halogen-containing polymer compositioncomprising a halogen containing polymer and a flame retardant-effectiveand/or smoke-suppressant-effective amount of a heterocyclic tin compoundobtained from the reaction of (i) a substituted triazine compound of theformula:

wherein x, y and z each independently is a halogen atom, hydroxyl group,amine group or monovalent moiety containing at least one halogen atom,hydroxyl group and/or amine group, with (ii) a tin-containing compoundselected from the group consisting of tin chlorides, tin bromides, tinfluorides, tin iodides, tin hydroxides and tin oxides:
 2. The polymercomposition of claim 1 wherein one or more of X, Y, and Z is chlorine,bromine, a hydroxyl group, a primary amine group or a substituted aminegroup in which the amine nitrogen is bonded directly to a carbon atom ofthe triazine ring.
 3. The polymer composition of claim 1, wherein one ormore of X, Y and Z is a monovalent moiety bonded to a carbon atom of thetriazine ring by a carbon-carbon bond, said monovalent moiety possessingat least one halogen atom, hydroxyl group, amine group or combination ofthe foregoing.
 4. The polymer composition of claim 3 wherein themonovalent moiety is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aromatic or heterocyclicgroup.
 5. The polymer composition of claim 3 wherein the monovalentmoiety is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl,nonyl, decyl, cyclopentyl, cycohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, tolyl, xylyl,naphthyl or pyridyl.
 6. The polymer composition of claim 1, wherein thetrisubstituted triazine is selected from the group consisting ofmelamine, N-substituted melamines, methylol-modified melamine, cyanuricacid, O-substituted cyanuric acid, amilide, amiline and melam.
 7. Thepolymer composition of claim 1 wherein the tin tetrahalide is selectedfrom the group consisting of anhydrous tin tetrahalides and hydrated tintetrahalides.
 8. The polymer composition of claim 1 whereintin-containing compound (ii) is HSnO₃, Sn(OH)₄, H₂SnO₃, SnO₂, MeHSnO₃ orMeSnO₃ in which Me is selected from the group consisting of potassium,lithium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, sodium, barium, bismuth, strontium,iron, cobalt, nickel and copper.
 9. The polymer composition of claim 1wherein the halogen containing polymer is a polyvinyl chloride,vinylidene chloride, chlorinated PVC, chlorinated rubber, chloroprene orchlorinated polyolefin.
 10. The polymer composition of claim 1 whereinthe heterocyclic tin compound is combined with at least one otheradditive.
 11. The polymer composition of claim 8 wherein the additive isat least one member selected from the group consisting of filler, metalsoap, lubricant, plasticizer, pigment and metal perchlorate.
 12. Thepolymer compound of claim 11 wherein the filler is selected from thegroup consisting of metal carbonate, wollastonite, silicates, chinaclay, talc, glass fibers, glass beads, wood flour, mica, metal oxides,or metal hydroxides, carbon black, graphite, rock flour, glass fibers,kaolin and chalk.
 13. The polymer composition of claim 11 wherein theheat stabilizer is a metal carboxylate.
 14. The polymer composition ofclaim 13 wherein the metal of the metal carboxylate is selected from thegroup consisting of Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, and Al.
 15. Thepolymer composition of claim 11 wherein the lubricant is selected fromthe group consisting of montan wax, fatty acid esters, PE waxes, amidewaxes, chlorinated paraffins, glycerol esters, fatty acids,silicone-based lubricants and combinations thereof.
 16. The polymercomposition of claim 11 wherein the plasticizer is selected from thegroup consisting of phthalates, esters of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids,trimellitates, citrates, epoxy plasticizers, phosphoric esters,paraffins, hydrocarbons, monoesters, pentaerythritolesters and glycolesters.
 17. The polymer composition of claim 11 wherein the pigment isselected from the group consisting of TiO₂ zirconium oxide-basedpigments, Ba SO₄ zinc oxide (zinc white) and lithopones (zincsulfide/barium sulfate), carbon black, carbon black/titanium dioxidemixtures, iron oxide pigments, Sb₂O₃, (Ti,Ba,Sb) O₂, Cr₂O₃ spinels, suchas cobalt blue and cobalt green, Cd(S,Se), ultramarine blue, organicpigments such as, azo pigments, phthalo-cyanine, pigments, quinacridonepigments, perylene pigments, diketopyrrolopyrrole pigments andanthraquinone pigments.
 18. The polymer composition of claim 11 whereinthe perchlorate is selected from the group consisting of metalperchlorates of Na, Li, K, Ca, Ba, Zn, Sr, and Al.
 19. An electricallyconductive wire or cable possessing an insulation component comprisingthe polymer composition of claim
 1. 20. An electrically conductive wireor cable possessing an insulation component comprising the polymercomposition of claim
 9. 21. An electrically conductive wire or cablepossessing an insulation component comprising the polymer composition ofclaim
 11. 22. A heterocyclic tin compound obtained from the reaction of(i) a substituted triazine compound of the formula:

wherein X, Y and Z each independently is a halogen atom, hydroxyl group,amine group or monovalent moiety containing at least one halogen atom,hydroxyl group and/or amine group, with (ii) a tin-containing compoundselected from the group consisting of tin chlorides, tin bromides, tinfluorides, tin iodides, tin hydroxides and tinoxides.
 23. Theheterocyclic tin compound of claim 22 wherein one or more of X, Y, and Zis chlorine, bromine, a hydroxyl group, a primary amine group or asubstituted amine group in which the amine nitrogen is bonded directlyto a carbon atom of the triazine ring.
 24. The heterocyclic tin compoundof claim 22, wherein one or more of X, Y and Z is a monovalent moietybonded to a carbon atom of the triazine ring by a carbon-carbon bond,said monovalent moiety possessing at least one halogen atom, hydroxylgroup, amine group or combination of the foregoing.
 25. The heterocyclictin compound of claim 24 wherein the monovalent moiety is an alkyl,cycloalkyl, aromatic or heterocyclic group.
 26. The heterocyclic tincompound of claim 24 wherein the monovalent moiety is methyl, ethyl,propyl, isopropyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl,cyclopentyl, cycohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, tolyl, xylyl, naphthyl orpyridyl.
 27. The heterocyclic tin compound of claim 22, wherein thetrisubstituted triazine is selected from the group consisting ofmelamine, N-substituted melamines, methylol-modified melamine, cyanuricacid, O-substituted cyanuric acid, amilide, amiline and melam.
 28. Theheterocyclic tin compound of claim 22 wherein the tin tetrahalide isselected from the group consisting of anhydrous tin tetrahalides andhydrated fin tetrahalides.
 29. The heterocyclic tin compound of claim 22wherein tin-containing compound (ii) is HSnO₃, Sn(OH)₄, H₂SnO₃, SnO₂,MeHSnO₃ or MeSnO₃ in which Me is selected from the group consisting ofpotassium, lithium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, sodium, barium, bismuth,strontium, iron, cobalt, nickel and copper.
 30. A flame retardant and/orsmoke suppressant composition for halogen-containing polymer whichcomprises a flame retardant-effective and/or smoke suppressant-effectiveamount of at least one heterocyclic tin compound of claim 22 and atleast one other additive.
 31. The flame retardant and/or smokesuppressant composition of claim 30 wherein the other additive isselected from the group consisting of filler, metal soap, lubricant,plasticizer, pigment, and metal perchlorate.